Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has praised Thierry Henry, telling the world that he is a fantastic player and his goal against Leeds United in the FA Cup rolled back the years.

Thierry Henry is widely regarded as an Arsenal legend in North London and has a statue of him outside the stadium. He returned to the club he played for from 1999 to 2007 on a loan deal from MLS side New York Red Bulls.

It seems odd to have to report that anyone is trying to defend the two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year Award, but for some reason it is news!?

Cesc Fabregas has jumped to the defence of Lionel Messi, who has been criticised in the press in Spain for not having an absolutely spectacular match each and every time he pulls on the blue and purple shirt of Barcelona.

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas escaped unhurt despite suffering a huge crash in his Mercedes SL500 while on way to training - with some news agencies reporting that he was checking the latest european football scores at the time.

According to The Sun, Fabregas, 23, had been driving 15 miles from his home in Hampstead, North London, to the Gunners' training ground at London Colney, near St Albans, Hertfordshire.

But he fell foul of a 50 mph stretch of the A41 near Edgware, just before road works reduced three lanes to two.